Letter opener



M. VIDAVER LETTER OPENER Oct. 30, 1928.

' Filed Aug. 21, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

M M W A TTORNEYS.

M. VIDAVER LETTER OPENER Oct. 30; 1928.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 21, 1926 IN V EN TOR.

a NM A TTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 30, 1928. 7

I PATENT OFFICE.

MAXWELL VIiDL'VER, 01' NEW YORK, N. Y.

v LETTER OPENER.

Application filed. Apgust 21, 1928. Serialiio. 180,599.

This invention relates to improvements in machines for opening packagesof various descriptions and is especially adapted, in some of itsaspects, for opening envelopes such as used for mailing letters, etc.,and the invention is disclosed herein in connection with an envelopeopening machine.

It is the general object of the invention to provide an improved machineof-"the class mentioned which will operate effectively and expeditiouslyto open envelopes or like packages, operating silently and with smallpower consumption while being simple in construction and arrangement,with few parts, and being inexpensive in production cost.

A further object is to provide an improved opening mechanism wherein agrinding or abrading operation is utilized inopening the envelope orpackage.

A further object is to provide an improved machine of the classmentioned wherein the dust or small particles incident to the rindingoperation is, by means 0f a simp e improved arrangement, retained in acompartment and prevented from being spread about the room.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a simple andimproved mechanism for positioning envelopes or like packages and forguiding and feeding them in correct position onto a grinding wheel toopen the packages.

Another object is to provide an improved automatic shutter arrangementto cover the aperture through which the grinding wheel projects, and toprovide a safety cover for the rotating surface of the grinding wheel.

Other objects will be in part pointed out in connection with thefollowing detailed disclosure of certain illustrative but preferredembodiments of the invention, and will be in part obvious in connectionwith said dis: closure.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and objects of theinvention, reference is (liiario to ttile-following detailed descriptionan e accom an d whi(;h p ying rawmgs, 1n F1gure 1 is a plan view of anenvelope openmg machme embodying the invention, parts bemg broken awayand in section to enhance the dlsclosure.

Fig. 2 1s a fragmentary vertical sectional yTlew {aken vapproxlmately onthe line 22 of Fig. 3 1s -.a transverse vertical section approximatelyon the line 33 of Fig. 1, parts being broken away and other parts beingshown in elevation.

Fig. 4 1s a detailed elevation showing the grinding wheel in the act ofgrinding or cutting the edge of an envelope.

Figs. 5 and 6 are views similar to Fig. 4, showing modified forms of thegrinding wheel.

Referring to the drawing for a detailed description of the embodiment ofthe invention there shown, a casing forming a base for and supportingvarious elements of the mechanlsm 1s indicated generally at 10 and ispreferably 1n the form of a box-like enclosure forming a housing for thedriving motor M, and for other operative elements.

, A feed table or bed plate 11 forms the top of the casing providing asupport over which an envelope or other package or article is passed tobring it into cooperative relation with the opening tool. A backsupporting and guiding plate 12 is positioned above the feedtable, beingdisposed at an angle to the latter substantially in upri ht position andforming a support against w ich the side face of an envelope may restduring the passage of the below the feed table, being rotatably mountedin bearin s 19 to provide a drive shaft for the rolls. T e drive shaft18 is positioned for driving connection with the driving motor shaft.The other two spindles 20 and 21 are carried respectively by swingingbrackets 22 and 23, which are pivotally mounted at 24 beneath the'feedtable, tension springs 25, 26 being provided to urge the rolls 14 and 16respectively toward and into contact w1th the rolls 13 and 15. The feedrolls are thus'arranged in two pairs to resiliently gr1p the envelopewhich is being fed thereby. Slots 27, 28 are provided in the feed tablethrough which the swinging roll shafts 20, 21 extend. The'bites orcontact lines between the feed rolls are positioned substantially in theplane of the face of the back plate against which the envelopes arepositioned, and the back plate is cut away or notched, as indicated at29 to per- Inct projection of the roll faces As will be seen in Fig. 2,the back plate 1s cont nuous at its lower edge so as to provide acontinuous support against which the lower edges of the envelopes restas they are fed forwardly by the feed rolls.

The driving mechanism for the feed rolls includes the drive shaft 18, tothe lower part of which is secured a worm wheel 30 in mesh with a worm31 mounted on the motor shaft 32. The feed roll 15 is driven from theroll 13 by'a gear train including the gears 33 on the respective rollshafts 17 and 18 and an intermediate idler suitably mounted on a studbetween the two rolls. The other two feed rolls 14 and 16 are drivenfriotionally by the rolls 13 and 15 respectively.

The feed rolls are preferablyprovided with friction gripping surfaces soas to exert a is surfaced, this being I grip of the feed rolls.

firm feeding grip upon the envelopes. For this purpose bot rolls of eachpair may be rubber-surfaced, but preferably one roll only one of therolls of the following pair which is provided with a rubber surface asindicated at 35, while the companion roll is roughened or knurled asshown in Figs. 2 and 3. The following rolls may both be knurled asshown.

An envelope positioning and guiding member in the form of a presser bar36 is pivoted at 37 to a suitable support which may be attached to theback plate 12, preferably being channeled, as shown, for the receptionof the envelope edges. This presser bar is biased as by gravity intocontact with the envelope edges so as to press the envelopes intocontact with the feed table adjacent the grinding or cutting wheel toassist in correctly positioning it for the grinding action and ui dingit into the It IS important that the lower edge of the envelope bemaintained close against the feed table in order that it may occupy theproper position w th reference to the grinding wheel, and this presserbar is designed particularly for accomplishing this function. v

The grinding or abradin wheel 38 is mounte upon the motor sha t whichpreferably rotates at a high rate of speed, something like2000R.P.M.being considered an effective speed. The grinding wheel may be made ofany well known abradin substance such as emery, carborundum, or thelike, and is preferably quite coarse. The feed table is provided with aslot 39 extending therethrou h to permit passage of the grinding face 0the wheel 38, which preferably extends for a slight distance above theupper face of the feed table as shown in Fig. 2 in order that it mayengage with the lower edges of the envelopes to cut them off and openthe envelopes as they are fed through the machine. The direction ofrotation of the grinding wheel as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2, issuch as to tend to carry or urge the envelopes against and into contactwith the back plate 12.

Behind the back plate 12, the slot 39 is closed by means of a stationaryplate 40 secured to the feed table, and upon this plate the idler gear34 may be mounted.

At the opposite or front side of the back plate 12 the wheel slot 39 iscovered b a movable cover plate 41 which is attache to.

and carried by the swinging bracket 23, which carries the roll shaft 21.The cover plate 41 is shaped at its edge to rest against the adjacentface of the back plate 12 so as to make a. tight joint, providing a sealfor the slot 39 when the cover plate is in closed position. Cover plate41 also forms a closure for the elongated slot 28, through which theroll shaft 21 extends. The cover plate 41 is shaped at its edge to restagainst the adjacent face of the back plate 12 so as to make a tightjoint, providing a seal for the slot 39 when the cover plate is inclosed position. Cover plate 41 also forms a closure for the elongatedslot 28, through which the roll shaft 21 extends. The slot 27 for theroll shaft 20 may be similarly closed by a small cover plate 42 shown indotted outline in Fig. 1 and being mounted upon the swinging bracket 22for movement therewith. All openings through the feed table are thussealed against exit of the fine dust which is caused by the grindingaction of the wheel upon' the envelopes.

The grinding wheel 38 is housed in a closed compartment below the feedtable, which is into the grin wheel compartment between the feed ta 1eand the base of the easing 10 and ma 1 standing retaining wall 45positioned ad acent the partition 43. The box 44, therefore, when slidinto position as shown in F1 2 in full lines, com letes the grinding whecomartment and orms a receptacle for accumuations of grindin dust whichmay, therefore, be removed or proper disposal by re moval of the box 44.

Due to the arrangement of the wheel close against the partition 43, thegrinding dust will be projected outwardly away from said partition, andwill be deposited in the box or container 44 mostly adjacent the outerwall thereof opposite the partition 43. This disposition of the grindingdust is probably due to the centrifugal or whirling action of the airand dust within the closed compartment caused by rotation of thegrinding wheel. This fanning action prevents the dust from beingdeposited in an considerable amount in the space between e grindingwheel and the partition 43, and causes it to be deposited toward theouter wall of the removable receptacle as indicated diagrammatically bybroken lines A, Figs. 1 and 2.

The cutting or grinding surface of the grinding wheel 38 may be variedin form, those forms shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6 being found particularlysatisfactory for the purpose of opening ordinary paper envelopes. In theembodiment of Fig. 4 the peripheral surface of the wheel is formed intwo distinct peripheral zones, one zone being formed to provide aninclined or conical surface 46, inclined toward or facing the advancingenvelopes, and being positioned at the forward side of the wheel, orthat side thereof nearest the advancing envelopes, thus providing theleading surface against which the envelope is first engaged during thefeeding movement thereof. The other zone of the grinding wheel is formedto provide the following peripheral surface 47, which is preferablycylindrical. These two surfaces 46 and 47 are preferably closelyadjacent each other, the diameter of the cylindrical surface 47 beingslightly greater than the greatest diameter of the conical surface 46 soas to provide a step or shoulder 48 between the two surfaces, thusproviding a narrow annular grinding surface faced toward the advancingenvelope and against which the edge of the envelope engages duringfeeding thereof, thus removing a narrow strip at the edge so as toeffect opening. The conical or inclined grinding surface 46 thusfunctions as a guiding sur face to guide the edge of the envelope intocontact with the grinding edge 48, and at the same time it functions toperform the initial grinding action upon the envelope edge. The greaterpart of the cutting is probably effected by the shoulder. 48 as theenvelope 1s fed thereagainst, butsome of the cutting may 8 y thecylindrical surface 47.

' befivrformed b be provided with an up-. 0 cylindrical surfaces 49 and50, as

shown in Fig. 5, may be employed, in which case there may be twogrinding wheels placed olosel side y side, the surface 49 being slight yless in diameter than the surface 50, so as to provide an annularcutting surface or step 51 between the two cylindrical surfaces. Theperipheral surface 49 may be positioned to project slightly above theupper surface of the feed table 11 so as to present an additionalannular cutting surface at the forward edge of the grinding wheel. Inthis case, therefore, the cutting will be accomplished by the twoannular grinding faces which both face toward the advancing en velope.Some cutting may, of course, be accomplished by the cylindricalperipheries of the two parts of the grindingwheel.

The grinding wheel may also be formed, I

as shown in Fig. 6, with a single conical grinding face, facing towardthe advancing envelope and against which the envelope is fed to removeby grinding action a narrow strip at the edge of the envelope.

The operation of the mechanism is to a large extent embodied in theforegoing detailed description, and will therefore be clearlyunderstood, but for clearness may be summarized as follows: Theenvelopes are held preferably in a bunch with the face of the inner.envelope against the adjacent face of the back plate 12, the envelopesbeing positioned on edge and fed by sliding them off the bunch one at atime by hand so the leading edges thereof enter the bite of the feedrolls 1314. Entry of each envelope between the leading feed rolls causesroll 14 to move slightly away from roll 13, thus moving the shutter orcover 41 and uncovering the cutting surface of the grinding wheel toaccess by the envelopes. The shutter, however, opens only suflicientlyto permit passage of the envelope between the edge thereof and theadjacent face of the back plate 12, the envelope entering into the spacecaused by this opening to maintain the seal of the aperture 39 duringpassage of the envelope and preventing escape of the grinding dust. Whenthe envelope passes the leading rolls the shutter closes by action ofthe spring 26 and remains closed until the entry of the next envelope.During the grinding action upon the envelope the grinding surface movesacross the envelope edge towards the back plate 12, thus tending todeflect the even when the contents is in the form of a single unfoldedsheet such as a check inserted into the envelope as far as it will gotoward the edge of the envelope which is ground away. The grip, or biteof one pair of the feed rolls is arranged in juxta osition with theplane of the front or enve 0 e guiding and supporting surface of the guie plate 12 and by means of the yielding mounting of the roll 14 or 16,together with the resilient surface 35, each envelope as it is bein fedagainst the abrader is constantly yieldlngly urged against said guidingand supporting surface, thus maintaining the envelope edge as it ismoved into contact with the abrading surface in most advantageousposition to be ground or cut away; preferably both pairs of rolls arearranged with their grips positioned as described, as clearly shown inThe two pairs of feed rolls are preferably arranged so as to grip theenvelope or similar article being fed thereby, both forwardly andrearwardly of the point of engagement of the envelope with the surfaceof the abrading wheel, as shown in Fi s. 1 and2; that is the bites ofthe pairs of feed rolls are positioned both forwardly and rearwardly ofthe abrader, thus gripping the envelope at spaced parts thereofpositioned both forwardly and rearwardly of the point on the edgethereof that is being cut or ground by the abrading surface. Thisarrangement of the feed rolls assists materially in retaining theenvelope in correct position for cooperation with the abrader for themost effective opening action and also assists materially in preventingthe contents of the envelope from settling down to the lower edge underthe vibratory and other effects of the cutting action. It will,therefore, be seen that the arrangement mentioned lessens any tendencyof the envelope contents coming 1nto injurious contact with the abradingsurface.

Due to the simple mechanism employed the machine operates silently andsmoothly with very small power consumption, and is inexpensive inproduction costs. The feeding is rapid, the opening of or more envelopesper minute being readily accomplished, and the opening 0 eration iscertain, there being practically no ailure.

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction anddifferent embodiments of the invention could be made without departingfrom the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in theabove description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the inve tion hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, asa'matclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters- Patent, is:

1. In a machine of the character described,

in combination, a feed table, a grinding wheel with 1ts edge projectinginto an aperture in the feed table, mechanism for feeding an envelopeinto engagement with said projectin edge of the grinding wheel, acovering an sealing mechanism ,for said aperture, and automaticmechanism including a member positioned 1n the path of a fed envelopeand controlled thereby to adjust said sealing mechanism to permitcontact of the envelope w1th the grinding wheel.

2. In a machine of the character described, 1n comblnation, a feedtable, a grinding wheel w th ltsedge projecting into an aperture of saidfeed table, mechanism for feeding envelopes 1nto engagement with saidrojecting edge of the grinding wheel, a sea ing cover plate for saidaperture interposed in the path of the fed envelope, and automaticmechanism controlled by an advancing envelope to adust said cover plateto permit engagement of an envelope with the grinding wheel, said coverplate being positioned to contact with the envelope being fed formaintaining the aperture sealed.

3. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a feedtable, a grinding wheel w th its edge projecting into an aperture insald feed table, cooperating feed rolls adjacent said feed table to feedenvelopes into enga ement with said projecting edge of the gun ingwheel, means for mounting one of said feed rolls so as to be moved byengagement thereof by an envelope, and a sealing closure for saidaperture operated by said movable roll to move it into position topermit access of the envelope to said grinding wheel.

4. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a feedtable, a grinding wheel with its edge projecting into an aperture insaid feed table, cooperating fee-d rolls adjacent said feed table tofeed an envelope into engagement with said projecting edge of thegrinding wheel, a swinging bracket for mounting one of said feed rollsso as to be moved by engagement thereof by an envelope and being biasedinto engagement with a companion feed roll, and a closure for saidaperture carried by said bracket.

5. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a rotarygrinding wheel, a supporting and guiding plate for supporting andguiding an envelope with an edge thereof in contact with the grindingsurface of said wheel, said grinding wheel rotating in a direction totend to carry an envelope in engagement therewith against saidsupporting and guiding plate, and a pivoted guiding Bll membercontacting with the edge of an envelope and biased to urge the envelopeinto contact with said grinding wheel.

6. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a feedtable, feed rolls for feeding envelopes, a. rotary grinding Wheelagainst which the edges of the envelopes are fed individually in endwisedirection to open feed table, feed rolls above the feed for feedingenvelopes, a rotary grindin whee-l against which'the edges of the enveopes are fed individually in endwise directions to open them one at atime, a guiding and positionin member individually engaging the edge 0each envelope being fed to position the envelope for coo eration withthe grinding wheel, and yiel ing means including one of said feed rollspositioned at the front side of said guiding plate for yieldinglypressmg the feeding envelope against said guiding surface.-

8. In a machine of the character described. in combination, a feedtable, a guiding or feed plate for guiding an envelope in a path, anabrader having a moving part thereof positioned in said envelope path soas to engage an envelope edge moving therein and envelope gripping feedrolls having their grips positioned both forwardly and rearwardly of thepoint of intersection of said path with said abrader.

9. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a feedtable, a guiding or feed plate for guiding an envelope in ap'ath, anabrader having a moving part thereof positioned in said envelope path soas to engage an envelope edge moving therein and envelope grippin feedrolls having their grips positioned hoth forwardly and rearwardly of thepoint of intersection of said path with said abrader, said feed plateextending between said feed rolls adjacent said abrader which moves ina' direction tending to carry the envelope into. engagement with saidfeed plate. 1

10. In an envelope opener, in combination, arotary abrader having partof its abrading surface of conical formation and part approximately ofcylindrical formation, with a shoulder between said abrading surfaces,and means for guiding an envelope and feeding it with an edge thereofadvancing against said conical abrading surface and against saidshoulder.

11. In an envelope opener, in combination, a rotary abrader having astepped abrading surface, feeding mechanism for feeding en- 7 bothforwardly and rearward velopesone at a time with an edge thereofadvancing against said stepped abradin'g surface, and a guiding andpositioning member individually. engaging each envelope at the edgethereof op osite to the abrader engaging edge to position it forcooperation with the abrader.

12. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a feedtable, a. grinding wheel with its edge projecting into an aperture inthe feed table, mechanism including a feed roll for feeding an envelopeinto engagement with said projecting edge of the grinding wheel, a. sealfor said aperture, positioned in the path of the envelope and aconnection between said seal and said feed roll to automatically adjustthe seal to permit access by the envelope to said wheel when an envelopeis in engagement with said feed roll.

13. In a machine of the character described, 1n combination, asup-porting bed for an advancing envelope, a grinding wheel with itsedge projecting into an aperture in said supporting bed, an envelopeguide plate adjacent said bed for guiding an envelope 1n endwisemovement into the plane of said wheel to hung the envelope edge intocontact therewith, a sealing cover plate for said aperture interposed inthe path of an envelope, and automatic mechanism including a memberengageable by an advancing envelope to adjust said cover plate to permiengagement of the envelope edge with the grinding wheel.

14. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a feedtable, a grinding wheel with its ed e projecting into an aerture in saidfeed ta le, envelope gripping eed members positioned for gripping theenvelopes y of said grinding wheel, a movable sealing closure for saidaperture forming a shield for said projecting wheel edge, and mechanismautomatically operated by said envelope to move said closure so as toclear the wheel to access by said envelope.

15. In a machine of the character described, in combination, a feedtable, an envelope guiding or feed plate having its guiding surfacepositioned at an angle to the plane of said feed table, envelope feedrolls mounted adjacent said feed table, andhaving the grip thereofarranged in juxta osition with the plane of said guiding sur ace, an

abrading member having a traveling abradplurality of stepped cuttingsurfaces and envelope gripping feed rolls for feeding the envelopeslongitudinally with their edges directed against said stepped abradingsurface whereby the stepped parts of said surface effect cutting actionupon the envelo e edge so as to open said envelope, said r0 ls havingtheir grips positioned both forwardly and rearwardly of said abrader.

17. In an envelope opener, in combination,

a rotaryabrader havin its peripheral abrading surface of stepp formationroviding a pluralit of stepped cuttin sur aces, and envelope Zeedinmeans for feeding the envelopes longitu 'nally with their edges directedagainst said stepped abrading surface whereby the latter effects openingcutting action upon the envelope edges.

In testimony whereof I afiix m signature.

MAXWELL VIlSAVER.

